Happy Thanskgiving

My nephew Josh made this awesome center piece. It's made of cantalope, pear, grapes, cheese, and red-orange-yellow bell peppers.

After eating all day Ted and I went to see Twilight. I thought it was ok. Kinda disappointed. I know the books are geared for teens but did the script have to be like I was watching the Disney channel? Actually most shows on the Disney channel have better scripts, actors, and special effects. Ted was really disappointed we wanted to see more (or some) blood.
I also went shopping on Black Friday. I went alone this year and got every single item on my list. It was great to have it done so fast, I was done by 7:30. But I didn't have anyone to share such a fun and entertaining morning. Some people get so mean it just makes me laugh. Can you believe the madness in New York? Actually killing a walmart employee!! So sad.

Grateful to fun nephews. They keep me young :-)

It all started with an innocent game of internet bowling. My score was terrible. 83. I couldn't beat my nephew, even after a rematch! I complained that it was because I was on my laptop so it was hard to get some good speed on my tiny mouse pad. So we had to take it up in a real game. I have never gotten higher than a 130. I am super bad at bowling. So obviously I lost. But not by much. Maybe if he didn't show off spinning the ball and stuff he would have done better. Thanks for letting me win Nic!
Daesha had a great time. She did not want to wear the shoes. She said they were ugly. ugh. What have I created? Anyway, Ted helped her set up the ramp the first time. And after that she didn't want our help. She knew that she needed to move the ramp on her second ball, we didn't have to tell her that. It made me so nervous to watch her pick up the ball and carry it to the ramp. I had visions of her dropping it on her toe. But she did a great job and got a couple strikes and even some spares. Her score was better than mine. And Teds too!
Keegan was really good just watching. As long as he had food he sat on his little chair and ate a package of twizzlers and some of his cousins fries. Once those were gone he sat and twisted his chair. That reminded me of the hula chair on Ellen.

between rounds Daesha sat on the score table and kicked her bowling ball around the foot rest. It kept her entertained the whole night. It reminded me of the cat toy with the ball in it.

Keegan with his twizzlers.


Daesha watching her Dad. Ted can whip that ball! 21 mph



Daesha NOT happy about the shoes.

Nice spin Nic. SPARE!

Nice form Randy. AW! Missed the spare.

Me getting a STRIKE!!!

Daesha getting a SPARE

Grateful for Daesha's preschool teacher

Today I went to help Daesha's teacher in class. They had a Thanksgiving feast and each kid brought their favorite thing they could share. I wish I had gotten a picture of Daesha's plate. It was the most unhealthy meal in history! She had a brownie, 2 different cookies, corn bread, olives, mac and cheese, shrimp (which is what Daesha insisted on taking - only 4 kids wanted some), pop tart, grapes, string cheese, hostess cupcake, and a capri sun drink.

I was so ready to leave the classroom by the end. Some of the kids were super noisy and fighting, and yelling, and whinning. I dont know how the teacher does it every day, and all by herself! She is a great teacher. Daesha has learned so much this year. Props to her teacher.

The kids made a cute indian head dress. Each feather we had written what the kids told us what they were thankful for. Incase you cant read Daesha's it reads, I am thankful for.. my dad when he takes me fishing, fruit, playing with my friends.

The other pictures are of the kids pretending to be turkey's.

So grateful to have old friends.

Tonight I went out with some old friends. We graduated the same year and went to the same church. We have had some really fun times as silly teens and girls camp and boys and dances. Through the years we have gotten married and have kids and life is going really good for everyone. I am so glad that we are all willing to keep in touch even if it's every 7 years. I love you guys so much!!! And a special love for Cathy. She was our Young Womens Leader. And she always went the extra mile for every one of us. We didn't realize it then, but we do now! She is so AWESOME!!

left to right: Ryann, Me, Kim, Cathy, Traci

Also had a very happy MOM moment today. Daesha made this Thanksgiving card in school today. I LOVED IT!!!!!!!

I LOVE TED!!!

I am so grateful to such a good hubby. I am going through major seperation anxiety lately. Every week this month he has come home for a couple days and then leaves for a week and comes home... it's driving me crazy! I begged him not to go to work today. But he had a training class he was teaching. And then tonight he has an activity with the Young Men in our ward. He promises me that we will get some time together soon. I believe him but I want him home now! Last week he was in Texas. He gave these fun capes to the kids. Daesha loved hers. She said it was like Nacho Libre.

Keegan could only see out one eyes opening. He didn't seem to mind.

Keegan playing with his toys. He couldn't see very good with the cape on. Instead of taking it off he would just lift the bottom of the mask.

Ted...

1- Where did you meet?

We met on a blind date. April 21st 1995. My friend Kim was going on a blind date herself. (that her Dad set up) So Kim went with her date to his family reunion. Ted was really good friends with Kims date and his family so Ted was there at the family reunion. Dateless. So Kim called me to see if I wanted to go with them to a movie. I agreed. When I first climbed into Ted's blue bronco I was introduced to Jason, Traci, Loren, and Ted. Ew. He has a mullet. AND IT'S PERMED!!!

But he was very cute. (in an 80's sort of way.) We went to the movies but it was sold out so we rented the Bodyguard. We went to Ted's house to watch it. The whole night I swear I needed a translater. Ted mumbled so bad all I got was every other word. It's funny because once Ted and I were dating serious his Mom told me she couldn't stop laughing the first time Ted brought me to the house. She said she was in the other room and could hear Ted talking to me and I kept saying, "what?"

2- How long did you date before you got married?

We dated for 1 year, 5 months. I was ready after dating 6 months. But Ted had major cold feet. He had been engaged to someone else.

3- How long have you been married?

12 perfect years.

4- What does he do that surprises you?

Nothing Ted does surprises me anymore. I used to be surprised when he acted like he was 12 years old blowing stuff up in our yard. Or saying something to someone, especially my sister just to piss them off.

5- What's your favorite feature about him? I love his BOD! Sorry it's the truth!!!

6- Whats your favorite quality about him?

SO MANY! I love that he is a kid at heart. I love that people seem to be afraid of him at first but once you get to know him he is just a big softy. He never gets embarrased. He has such a big heart. He wants to help anyone where ever he can. (even strange women giving birth - good story) He is such a good Dad. I love that he isn't very funny but he can make me laugh. He is so handy. He can build/fix just about anything. He is so good at making me feel special. He would do anything for ME. Is that a quality? Oh well I love it all the same.

7- Does he have a nickname for you?

It makes people sick being around us. But, we love calling eachother hon, babe, sweetie, and other silly sentimental names.

8- What's his favorite color?

Green

9- What's his favorite food?

He doesn't have a favorite. He is a carnivore to the fullest. Just give him meat!

10- What is his favorite sport?

This list is long.. obviously he loves hunting! He also enjoys fishing, rock climbing, repelling, kyaking, and paintball. He does enjoy watching football and basketball but previous list takes presidents over actual sports.

11- Who said I love you first?

So weird. I really don't remember. I think he did first.

12- When and where was your first kiss?

HAHA. It was at my friend Traci's house. Ted was asleep on her couch and she and I were in the other room talking. She had just asked me how much I liked Ted and was it serious. Her friend was also interested in Ted and wondering if he was "on the market." I decided I better find out. So I went in and started to kiss him.... The rest is history :-)

13- What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? Before we had kids we loved going snowboarding, camping, hiking, dinner and movies. Then we didn't have the money to do that very much so we would go test drive cars we could never afford, spend hours looking at magazines at macy's, drive around looking at houses and dreaming of owning one one day. Now that we have kids and own a house we pretty much do the exact same stuff. Only less frequently.

14- Do you have kids? How many?

2.. Daughter, Daesha who is four. Son, Keegan who is 1.
15- Funniest story about Ted.

I could share some really great ones but I have to say the best one that has the whole family laughing (except his Mom) was when he was in 2nd grade. The teacher left the room to talk with another teacher in the hall and Ted stood on his chair and yelled "LOOK AT ME" while sticking his finger out his pant zipper!!! He got sent to the principles office for that one.

Most everyone who reads my blog knows what visiting teaching is. But, incase you don't know here's a quick explanation. In our church we are assigned to visit 2 or 3 other ladies in our church. Each woman has a partner and the 2 of you go once a month to talk and also give an uplifting/spiritual message. I absolutley love the 2 girls who come to my house. I always keep them there for longer than they probably want to be. But I just find myself talking their ears off. And I love hearing about what they are doing in their lives too.
So today I went with my partner (who is also so dang sweet) to visit 2 of our girls. (who I also enjoy very much too) :-) My partner shared a talk given by Joseph B. Wirthlin. It was titled "Come What May, and Love It". It was about laughing at life. He said, "I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it." The whole talk was really great if you feel like reading it click come what may
I have a long way to go before I love adversity or even a single experience that has made me feel discouraged or angry. But I truely believe that you can learn to get through hard times with a positive attitude. And even laugh.
So today I am grateful for several things.. good neighbors, good leaders, good life. All have to do with the awesome program called Visiting Teaching.

LET'S GET THIS!

Last night was soooo much fun at the New Kids On The Block concert! I remember going to see them at the Marriot Center in Provo. It was September 1990. Our tickets were $25. I was 15 years old. I was a Huge FAN!!! I still have posters, magazines, Videos, and a letter from being in the official fan club. They are somewhere in a box downstairs. Too bad I couldn't wear my old shirts. (I gave them to my neices years ago, and they wore them as jammies till they were covered with holes) :-)
Last night I was able to feel 15 again and screamed my heart out. This morning my voice was hoarse. I danced like a mad woman and screamed things (with Ted's permission) to Donnie and Joe a married woman should not be screaming. HEHEHE.
I went with my sister, 2 neices: Mandy and Kerra, Mindy, and Kim. The same people that were with me 18 years ago. Oh wait Kim was there too but with another group. We were on the floor and this large lady kept pushing my chair forward so she could have room to stand. She was about 300 lbs. So I would go out into the aisle and the security guard would come over and push my shoulder until I stepped back into the row. I felt bad for the security guard having to keep coming over but I kept being squished out!
At one point in the show we went over to the center floor where the guys performed on a revolving floor. We were super squished over there. My friend Mindy had a lady behind her that was jumping up and down the whole time hitting my friend on the head with her boobs. We were laughing so hard at that! There is no such thing as personal space at these kinds of concerts. Everything goes. Except my awesome posters I made the night before. They were taken away by security guards as soon as we walked in the building!!!
Anyway lets get to the pictures...

Opening act: Lady GA GA.

Also Natasha Bedingfield. Love her. She did great!

Hate how you never now how good concert pictures will turn out.

Some were really good others are not. oh well.

I still love Joe!!!

But Donnie was REALLY hot!

This was my favorite part. We were so close to the revolving stage! I could see the sweat dripping from their face. So dang AWESOME!!!!

The next two pictures Donnie is wearing a t-shirt someone threw up at them.

It reads, I love mormon girls!!!
After the song he told everyone how much this is true. Doubtful. But still funny.

He wanted to know how many wives he could have here.

LOOK! Joe is looking right at ME!!! hahaha

Second favorite part...

Whoa! Jordan still lookin good at 38.

I took a couple pics of this but they didn't turn out so this is from the internet

My neices having fun
Mindy using toilet paper in the most ingenious way. Ear plugs.
Not so genious... Just kidding Kim. luv ya
oh, oh, oh, oh, oh Hangin' Tough
My posters I made but never got to hold up. :-( Face time is a meet and greet.

Today I went and got my hair high lights touched up. My neighbor was so nice to take the kids for 3 hours while I went and had it done. I went to a new place closer to my house since getting out of this town takes FOREVER with road construction going on in every direction. So my instructions were to match as closely as possible to what was already in my hair. So I get home and I have white hair with dark brown. I look like I aged 10 years!! My hair looks like it is GREY!!!!!!!!!!! But guess what. I will probably go back there because they are close and cheaper than where I was going. It sucks living out here sometimes. Maybe when I have to get touchups again I can say lets do a bit more YELLOW and not WHITE. So not really sure what I am grateful for other than a good neighbor who watched my kids while I under went a time warp and came home at the age of 40.
Also so glad Ted is on his way home from Texas tomorrow. Tonight he thanked me for letting him go. I said, "Oh! I didn't realize I had a choice!" haha. He's a good guy.

Just a reminder...

You are never too old to swing!



As I was driving home I glanced over at the park and loved what I saw. So I took a picture of these strangers that put a smile on my face. :-)

I had a late night last night, didn't get home until 11:30. Yesterday was a fun day. I took Daesha to school and drove over to meet my mother-in-law and sister-in-law at the grand opening of the Highland Smith's Marketplace. It was like Black Friday! I couldn't believe all the people!!! I got some killer deals on clothes for the kids and I got myself a winter jacket for $40. It was $140.00. That night I went to dinner with my mother and sister in-laws. Smith's was still open until 11 and the awesome deals were only for the day so, after dinner I picked my kids up from the sitters and went back up to Smith's to look around some more. Poor kids.. keeping them up this late just to get good deals.
So after all that I was reminded of how lucky I am to have a mother-in-law and 2 sister-in-laws that like to include me. They are a fun bunch and I love doing stuff with them.

Today I got out of the house and did alittle shopping. I got a new pair of jeans some boots and some cute brown flats. So far I know all the things that I am thankful for sound so material. But what can I say I am a material girl living in a material world. Ok so dumb I know. But thanks to my savy hubby and my slight restrictions I put on money I am able to splurge every once in awhile. So in a single phrase I am thankful for Shopping Malls!!!

Today it should be obvious what I should be grateful for. After steering clear of any cleaning all weekend, today I am so thankful for the inventive and nifty cleaning techniques we now have. I love my magic eraser, swiffer wet jet, and swiffer duster and especially happy to have a really good vacuum. I heart my Kirby!! Also along that note I love that I can tell Daesha to go clean her room and she actually does it.

{Thankful For}

Every day this month I am going to post on my blog. And each day I will list something that I am grateful for. Missed a week already so I am sure I will have something to be thankful for each day.
Today I am grateful for.. a warm and cozy home. Even though it is an absolute mess. I promised myself I would do NO house work all weekend.

Fun Tag

This is what you do...

1. Open up your picture file
2. Go to the fourth folder
3. Open the fourth picture
4. Post the picture on your blog and write about it



This picture was taken in July. Man this picture makes me sad that summer is over. Anyway, our playgroup went to Liberty Park this particular day. I was super nervous about going here to play in the water because last summer we went here and a couple of the kids we went with got that Crypto bug or what ever it was called. Now there are rules for kids under 2 at all public pools. I make sure Keegan has the required swimming diaper plus the water proof pants. But every time we go swimming I see parents who don't care. So annoying. I remember this day a lady actually took her little boys diaper off and rinsed him off in the water before putting on a new diaper!!!! Ugh. GROSS! That's the exact time I grabbed my kids and went home. If I had the nerve I would have said something.

P.S. Tag, your it!

Pictures of Halloween

Keegan was Dracula. He really liked it when I put the blood down his lips. He held still while I did it then laughed when he saw it in the mirror.

Daesha showing how a mean Tinkerbell looks.

This is for you Nad'a...

"Blackula"

This picture was taken at 10:30. Daesha had eaten half her candy by now and asleep. Keegan was beyond tired and mad that we wouldn't let him have more candy.

This is my nephew Randy reading his mission call. He got it on Wednesday but waited until Friday to open it. He had lots of family and friends there to see where he was going for the next two years....

He is going to Kennewick, Washington!!!